Richmond: Major BART delays due to fire near train yard

RICHMOND -- BART riders can expect roughly 20 minute delays Thursday afternoon due to a small brush fire near the Richmond train yard, a spokesman for the agency said.

Around 1:25 p.m., a grass fire was reported between the Richmond BART station and the train yard, said BART spokesman Jim Allison.

Fire crews shut down both tracks while they worked to control the blaze, preventing passengers to go beyond the North Berkeley BART station. Around 2:15, one of the two tracks that go into the Richmond station was reopened, allowing trains to once again travel past the North Berkeley station.

Commuters are encouraged to use AC Transit bus lines 52 and 72 while the second track remains closed as crews work to ensure flames do not reignite.

Allison said BART is hoping to have both tracks up and running by 4 p.m.